The Families First Coronavirus Response Act created new temporary paid sick leave and paid Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) programs that are 100% reimbursable by the federal government. Click here to view a new guide which provides information on requirements, employee eligibility, paid leave calculations and exemptions.

Employee Retention Tax Credit Guide

The CARES Act created a new employee retention tax credit—that does not have size restrictions—for employers who are closed, partially closed, or experiencing significant revenue losses as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Click here to view the U.S. Chamber guide to help businesses check eligibility, calculate their credit, and understand which employees count toward eligibility, among other information.

Under the Disaster Emergency Proclamation ordered by Gov. Tom Wolf on March 6, the governor has the authority to suspend regulatory obligations and other legal obligations in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Those businesses that are interested in seeking a temporary suspension of regulatory requirements/permit conditions shouldfill out this formand submit it toRA-EPCOVID19SuspReq@pa.gov. Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Those interested in a suspension of federal requirements should contact US EPA Region III and refer to the US EPA March 26, 2020 memorandum.

State Launches Manufacturing Call to Action Portal

With the on-going need for PPE and other critical medical supplies, the Wolf administration has launched a Manufacturing Call to Action portal, with the intent to:

U.S. Department of Treasury Releases Additional Guidelines on Federal Paycheck Protection Program

The Paycheck Protection Program prioritizes millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $349 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses. Small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations, Veterans organizations, and Tribal businesses described in the Small Business Act, as well as individuals who are self-employed or are independent contractors, are eligible if they also meet program size standards. Last week, the U.S. Department of Treasury released additional guidance for the program regarding applicable affiliation rulesand interim final rule on affiliation. For more information and updates, visit Treasury.gov/CARES and SBA.gov/PayCheckProtection.

As you may know, the CARES Act expanded the Small Business Administration’s long-standing Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. The EIDL program was created to assist businesses, renters, and homeowners located in regions affected by declared disasters. The program is applicable to small businesses and most small nonprofits (less than 500 employees), sole proprietors and independent contractors. Click here to view a guide that helps you check eligibility, understand loan parameters, and find out how to access $10,000 emergency grants.

The U.S. Chamber's Coronavirus Emergency Loans Small Business Guide and Checklist serves as a comprehensive step-by-step tool to help small businesses, independent contractors, gig economy workers and other qualifying individuals prepare to file for a coronavirus relief loan under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The guide is also available for download in Spanish here.

Paycheck Protection Program Loan and Economic Injury Disaster Loan Side by Side Comparison Chart

Frustrated with all the new information on resources available during this pandemic? A side by side loan comparison chart can be found here.

Answers to frequently asked questions:

Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL): the up to $10,000 emergency advance is entirely forgivable, but only available if you apply for an EIDL loan through the SBA. The main loan is not forgivable.

Paycheck Protection Program Loan (PPPL): offers a 1% interest, 2 year loan with 8-weeks of qualified forgivable expenses if payroll is maintained.

Small employers should not include independent contractor (1099s) in “payroll costs.” The PPPL and EIDL loans are available to independent contractors separately.

Small business owners can apply for both loan programs but cannot use the funds for the same expenses or take advantage of both forgiveness programs.

Sole proprietors, independent contractors, self-employed and nonprofits are also eligible for both loan programs.

Unemployment assistance will now extend to self-employed workers, including independent contractors, freelancers, farmers and gig workers.

Federal Coronavirus Resources

State, local, and federal agencies are working together to maintain the safety, security, and health of the American people. Check out coronavirus.govfor updates from the White House's Coronavirus (COVID-19) Task Force. Go to cdc.gov for detailed information about COVID-19 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.